Lisa Carnell

Biography
Dr. Carnell leads NASA's fundamental research in exploration sciences. She previously served as a Program Scientist for Translational Research where she led the divisions strategic partnership initiatives with other government agencies, including NIH, BARDA, FDA, DARPA, NSF, and the USDA. She was also responsible for advancing the divisions commercial engagement initiatives.Dr. Carnell formerly served as the Space Radiation Medical Countermeasure Lead for NASAs Human Research Program. In this role, shewasinvolved in all aspects of understanding and mitigatingradiation-inducedhealth effects on humans including cancer,cardiovascular, central nervoussystem, and acute radiation syndrome.Sheholds a PhD from Duke Universitywhere she studied the effect ofphysiological and electrical signals on thedifferentiation of humanmesenchymal stem cells.Dr. Carnell holds eightpatents, has authored orco-authored several peer-reviewed journalarticles, serves on numerousinteragency working groups.

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Talk
Using Space and Organ-Chips to Advance Precision Health
NASA plans to send organ-chips to deep space. This technology enables researchers to study the effects of extreme radiation and microgravity on human tissue and could inform measures to ensure crew health on future deep-space missions. It could also help transform precision health on Earth, enabling clinicians to tailor medical plans to individual patients.

Clinical & Research Tools Showcase:
NASA
NASA

Jess Rabourn

Biography
Jess Rabourn is a trained economist and former hedge fund manager whose second career in healthcare innovation began in 2009 when the second member of his immediate family was diagnosed with ALS.Since 2012, Jess has been a nationally recognized speaker on the regulation and design of Expanded Access programs (EAPs) to marry clinical research with clinical care.He produced and directed the Expanded Access Summit series of conferences in Washington DC from 2017 through 2020, and he has served on the advisory committees of several governmental, non-profit and commercial drug develop initiatives aimed at structured learning from patients' experiences.In 2018, Jess founded WideTrial, a technology and service platform to conduct large-size, data-generating EAPs across a growing network of provider sites.

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Talk
Biomarker Discovery from Expanded Access Trials
Large-cohort Expanded Access Programs (EAPs) are special "treatment-use" clinical trials intended to be inclusive of broader phenotypic ranges of patients in comparison to traditional trials.Their breadth and size provide a unique opportunity to identify new biomarkers, including disease progression markers and covariates of treatment response.

Clinical & Research Tools Showcase:
WideTrial
For serious unsolved diseases, WideTrial has built a healthcare technology platform that makes it easy for physicians to bring investigational medicines to their patients.WideTrial's goal is to marry clinical care and clinical research through AI-driven therapeutic matching and a network of participating providers.

JP Hinestrosa

Biography
P Hinestrosa is a scientist and builder working at the intersection of biology, data, and technology. His work focuses on extracting meaningful biological signals from complex systems, with an emphasis on biomarker discovery and multi-omic analytics that can move diagnostics earlier in disease progression. He brings a deep curiosity for how molecular information encodes health and disease, and how that information can be transformed into reliable, scalable tools used in the real world.JP has trained across engineering, national laboratory research, and international scientific environments, giving him a broad perspective on both fundamental science and translational impact. At Xzōm, he helps shape the scientific and analytical foundations of a platform designed to learn continuously from real-world data turning biological complexity into actionable insight that improves with use.

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Talk
Early Enough: Exosomes Power Next-Generation Detection
Xzōm is building a first-in-class, exosome-based foundational technology platform that delivers actionable biomarker insights in under 30 minutes. By unifying exosome isolation, biomarker analysis, and AI that is point of care capable Xzōm enables early detection, smarter monitoring, and a continuously learning precision medicine platform across cancer, neurodegeneration, and other diseases.

Clinical & Research Tools Showcase:
Xzom, Inc.
Xzōm is a life sciences company developing a comprehensive, exosome-based biomarker platform that delivers rapid, actionable results. Our technology empowers partners to build and scale next-generation clinical applications while continuously learning from real-world use to enable earlier detection and better outcomes.

John Cunningham

Biography
John Cunningham leads an early-stage life science tools company developing next-generation PCR chemistries that enable faster, higher-plex, and more sensitive molecular assays. He previously founded and led RapidBio, a high-throughput molecular diagnostics laboratory that processed more than 300,000 clinical samples during the COVID-19 pandemic and generated over $20M in revenue. Earlier in his career, he served as COO of Functional Fluidics, where he helped build functional biomarker assays for red blood cell health, and spent five years in the University of Michigans Office of Technology Transfer supporting commercialization of academic innovations. His current work focuses on translating novel processor-mediated PCR chemistries into multiplexed assays that expand access to precision oncology and other advanced molecular diagnostics.

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Talk
PCR Chemistries for High-Plex Precision Diagnostics
Signal Bioscience introduces Processor-Mediated PCR, a novel reagent platform that separates signal generation from amplification. This technology enables tunable signal intensity, allowing 100-plex capabilities on existing digital PCR instruments and significantly enhancing speed and sensitivity for precision diagnostics without requiring new hardware.

Clinical & Research Tools Showcase:
Signal Bioscience
Signal Bioscience is a life science tools company developing novel reagents that extend the functionality of PCR and dPCR instruments by dramatically increasing speed, sensitivity, and multiplexing capabilities. Our proprietary Processor-Mediated PCR platform enables high-performance diagnostics on existing laboratory infrastructure.

Roy Rabinowitz

Biography
Dr. Roy Rabinowitz, Ph.D. is dedicated to leading the future of rapid molecular testing, focused on developing platforms that enable end-to-end diagnostic solutions anywhere and anytime to improve the patient-doctor experience. He is a curiosity-driven scientist entrepreneur who converges molecular biology solutions with various disciplines to address unmet medical needs.Dr. Rabinowitz has a proven track record of creating biological solutions for real-world problems. He is the author of multiple scientific publications and a portfolio of patents covering diagnostic methods and tools, gene editing, and computational protein design methods. Dr. Rabinowitz is also a recipient of several distinguished awards for academic and professional excellence, including the Dan David Prize scholarship and the TEVA BioInnovation fellowship.

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Talk
Molecular diagnostics, where and when it matters
Kansos "Molecular 2-Factor Authentication" platform delivers lab-grade diagnostics through isothermal amplification and unique labeling. By utilizing a microfluidics-free design, the system significantly reduces cost-per-test and simplifies manufacturing. Validated on patient samples, this plug-and-play solution enables rapid, affordable results at the point of care, beginning with womens health.

Clinical & Research Tools Showcase:
Kanso Diagnostics
Kanso is revolutionizing molecular diagnostics by making lab-grade testing affordable and immediate. Our breakthrough platform slashes cost-per-test, empowering providers to deliver high-accuracy results during a single patient visit. We are bridging the gap between clinical need and accessible, high-performance diagnostics.

Callie Weiant

Biography
Callie Weiant leads CaliberMRI's efforts to advance quantitative MRI (qMRI) for precision medicine and AI applications. The company is focused on collaborations and strategic partnerships with researchers, clinicians, and industry to advance standards and data quality. After practicing law at a national law firm, Callie has spent her career working with startups.

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Talk
Quantiative MRI is the future, but it needs standards
Quantiative Magnetic Resonance Imaging (qMRI) is the future. qMRI, where outputs are measured in absolute units, enables robust AI algorithms and allows data comparion across sites and over time.However, implementation and adoption of qMRI requires investment in QA, metrology, and standards.This talk outlines needs and solutions to transform qMRI and precision medicine.

Clinical & Research Tools Showcase:
CaliberMRI
CaliberMRI, Inc. is on a mission to improve the standard of care by advancing the field of quantitative MR imaging (qMRI). We offer a fully-integrated platform for clinical trials, AI/ML/DL validation and testing, and routine multi-site QA/QC.

Charlotte D'Hulst

Biography
As a Portfolio Manager, Charlotte helps shape imecs offering strategy for a portfolio of technologies focused on life sciences applications.Charlotte is an experienced entrepreneur with a strong background in genetic engineering and biomedical sciences, driven by translating deep tech and basic science from bench to bedside. Building on her academic research, she co-founded and scaled a start-up dedicated to decoding and digitizing the human sense of smell. As CEO of Yesse Technologies, Inc., based in New York Citys biotech ecosystem, she raised over $10M and established partnerships with imec and The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinsons Research, among others. In 2021, she led the companys winddown.Charlotte trained in bioengineering at KU Leuven and earned a PhD in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Antwerp. She completed postdoctoral training in the molecular biology of olfaction at the City University of New York.

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Talk
Accelerating health innovations through advanced semiconductor technologies
This presentation will highlight how imec applies specialty semiconductor technologies to accelerate life-science innovation. It will cover wafer-scale (post-)processing, integrated photonics, microfluidics, nanopores, and custom silicon platforms. It will also show how imec partners with industry to translate early concepts into scalable, manufacturable bio and health applications.

Clinical & Research Tools Showcase:
Imec
Imec is a world-leading research and innovation center in nanoelectronics and digital technologies, bringing advanced semiconductor technologies to healthcare and life sciences. Working with partners across life sciences, medtech, pharma, and biotech, imec develops highly sensitive and scalable platforms that enable next-generation bio and health applications, from early research to industrial maturity.

Chris Lee

Biography
Chris Lee has previous experience as a Quality Control Laboratory Technician at Omega Bio-tek, as well as experience as a Field Applications Scientist (FAS). He used these experiences, as well as his expertise in laboratory automation, to transition to his role with the sales team, where he assists labs with implementing the right nucleic acid purification solution to meet their unique needs. With programming expertise, in-depth product knowledge, and experience with DNARNA purification technology, Chris clearly understands what it takes to successfully implement an automated nucleic acid purification workflow.

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Talk
Elevating cfDNA Extractions with an Automation-Ready Solution
In this talk, we will outline the challenges with implementing an automated cfDNA extraction workflow, as well as strategize solutions to streamline implementation while maintaining high-quality results.

Clinical & Research Tools Showcase:
Omega Bio-tek
Omega Bio-tek is an industry leader in nucleic acid purification technologies for academic, clinical, and industrial research. The company supports applications ranging from genomics and molecular diagnostics to biotechnology and pharmacogenomics.